Mortal Combat

O my God, how often I,

Mortal man, bound to die

Have wallowed in the reek of sin

Fought and lost, let Satan win!

A holy look and outward smile

Deceives others for a while

But all the while inside my head

War rages on, I’m almost dead.

When I saw someone in need

Again I sinned, committed Greed

My soul, alas! Caught aflare

When again I did not care

When I turned coward and I lied,

When I sinned, filled with Pride

The Devil laid my soul to waste

When in my thoughts I was unchaste

Almost my soul was sealed in fate

When I sinned, plagued with Hate

Alas! I thought You did not care

I fell into deep despair

But then You showed again the light

And gave me strength again to fight

Arm me with the sword of Hope,

The helm of Faith, in You I hope!

With Charity and Love my shield,

Against us one Satan shall yield.

Hearken always to my call

And never permit me to fall

And when I die and see Your face,

Fill me with Your Holy Grace

So I at last, the battle won,

Might truly be called Your son.